Humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Some 70 truckloads of humanitarian aid were allowed into the Gaza Strip.

The aid was allowed as crossings between Israel and the strip were temporarily opened Thursday, the fourth time since Israel sealed its border with the terrorist Hamas-run territory after an increase in rocket attacks more than a month ago. Diesel fuel also was pumped into Gaza.

Also Thursday, foreign journalists were allowed to enter Gaza for the first time in a month. Foreign governments and the heads of major news organizations had been pressing Israel to allow foreign journalists into Gaza. Israeli journalists are still not allowed to enter Gaza out of fear they will be kidnapped.

All of Gaza’s banks shut down Thursday due to a shortage in the cash supply. An Israeli military spokesman told The Associated Press that a request to transfer $35 million in Israeli shekels to Gaza is under consideration.